Former top NOAA administrator Chris Oliver has joined US fishing company American Seafoods with a role in the company’s regulatory division as special advisor on government affairs.
He has a career behind him of studying and managing fisheries. In 2017, he was designated by presidential appointment as Assistant Administrator for Fisheries at NOAA within the US Department of Commerce, where he was responsible for the management of commercial and recreational marine fisheries and protected species throughout the US Exclusive Economic Zone.
Included in his oversight were the sustainment of national fisheries, the recovery and preservation of protected species, and maximisation of fishing opportunities. He oversaw 3100 federal employees and 1100 contractors, five regional offices, seven science centres, and 14 satellite laboratories across the US.
Prior to his time with NOAA, Chris Oliver served in progressively senior roles for the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, including 16 years as the Council’s executive director. His responsibilities included the management of the fisheries off Alaska and the administration of its staff and Council representation at various international high-level scientific and policy arenas.
“We’re thrilled to have Chris and his deep national and international fisheries experience on our team,” said American Seafoods CEO Mikel Durham.
“He’s a sector authority, and his position here underscores our commitment to environmentally sound, sustainable, and productive fishery policies and guiding principles not just for American Seafoods, but also for US fisheries management as a whole.”
